Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Good morning. An early one for me today thanks to a rotten cold. Crafting is definitely on the cards that way I can sit down when I want, stand when I want play and get more ink on my hands and in general - get through the day without thinking of this sore throat and headache.
I had a fabulous weekend of craftiness in the NE of England at another of our Hels' workshops. I am a proud member of Hels Warriors from the Frozen North and came away sad because it was over but happy 'as Larry' because I had had so much fun. My desk has a bit of stash on it due to that surge of 'I need to craft'.

You can spy some inks, paints, glue, flowers, embellishments, glasses and the 2nd brew of the day. I've removed the piece I'm working on because I am making something similar to one of the projects from the weekend and as there is another workshop next weekend (because so many folk wanted to attend) I don't want to spoil the fun for them.
If you are wondering what WOYWW is all about, pop over to Julia's for an explanation.
Have a fun day.

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

It was just wonderful to meet up with the 'gang' again and welcome a few newbies. As usual, the amazing Sue worked her magic and organised everything so that we all could have this fun-filled experience.

2 thoroughly incredible projects had been devised and prepped by our Hels which she carefully guided us through so that we all came away with our own fabulous works of art.

I would love to show you but another group of our 'gang' is going up to the NE next weekend to do the same. It would be cruel to spoil their fun so I shall wait and show you next week.

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Life has taken over. For me to say that in the middle of winter is no mean task. I generally suffer from S.A.D. and so hate the dark days. My door is open all day long during the summer and that extra feeling of space brings me joy.
I've been busy sewing for what seems like forever and I have more to do but not as happily as my last 2 projects. A new Tim Holtz Eclectic elements curtain and cushion. To give them a proper place to 'live' I also did a little re-jig of a couple of shelves. Here is the finished look:

Monday, 20 January 2014

Actually, I managed to sew the cushion pieces together yesterday so I am top stitching the seams at the moment.

Rather than using a fancy stitch I am straight sewing with a double needle.

The whole thing is coming along nicely - so far - without much of a plan at all. I just know that I hope to make a small border all round the edges using bias binding but other than that I've no idea what else I may do. Bit of fun.

Friday, 17 January 2014

With a little help from my hubby my craft room got a sort around today. He moved a couple of shelves for me which has allowed me to have my ink pad storage side by side, then he put new Lino tiles on my work top.

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Done, complete, finished.
I have made a few embellishments from some Melange Eclectic Elements giving a little contrast to the panels plus I used my new Tim Holtz Garden Greens Bigz die to cut some grungepaper which I decided to leave in it's 'raw' state. Just love that die.
Here are photos of each one:

finally, here is the complete curtain:

Each embellishment is removable. I had a ball making this and it's made a massive difference to my little craft room. There is a little lass keeping an eye on my room namely Miss Bun Bun who sits happily on her swing next to my curtain (well the swing is actually my camera bag). She was a wonderful Xmas present made by our Paula who is a very talented sewing crafter.

Thanks for looking. If I've encouraged you to have a go at making something like this then remember, if I can do it so can you.

Thursday, 9 January 2014

If I don't plan to do something it usually turns out that I get it done! Today turned into one of those days and I decided to have another go at my Eclectic Elements curtain for my craft room window.
This was how I left it the other day:

The fancy stitching between the panels completed and a button sewn on at each junction. Next came the lining:

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Tag happiness begins on the 1st of January when Tim blogs the first tag of the new year and that warm feeling comes over you knowing there are another 11 to come.
Some prove to be a big challenge especially when the only ingredient you have is a blank tag, some are partly challenging as you have some of the stash Tim has used and the rest has to be thought up and then the easy ones when you discover you own everything he used.
Some of the past tags have seen me searching all over the place for dies etc and these are the ones that have helped me build on my craft stash. This means that I can now 'think outside' the box more and not get disappointed because I can't make my tag look anything like the sample. I reckon I have travelled the beginning of the journey and am now in a position to really get to grips with it all.
So here is my take on this months tag:

I made my base with the same stain and ink as Tim plus the rub on was the same and I used the clockwork stencil too. So far so good. However, the pocket watch was my challenge this time because I don't have that one nor the circle movers and shapers. I used a Fiskars circle stencil and cutter plus a bit of free hand drawing to make my watch and painted it with Black Soot and Brushed Pewter distress paints. The embossing was done with a different folder over the metal foiling. I think it worked really well.
I had a go at the fiddly rub ons on the type key but am still searching for the apoxy sticker to go over it. Finally, the gorgeous piece of ribbon I've used looks just like metal and that was thanks to my step son Tony for finding that for me. I've re-charged the battery in my camera and downloaded the photos of the steps I took to achieve my tag:

Smashing start to this year's tags.
My tags from last year, as mentioned before, now form the background to my blog all thanks to our Quentin. I hope he realises this little task may become annual......
Here they all are together:

I so enjoyed making every single one of them and won a prize for November which is on it's way as I type.
The CHA sneak peeks from Tim have me salivating already and the stencils are top of my list. That said, I have an online class booked for 3 weeks time which is all about using stencils but as I will be on another Hels workshop in the NE then, I will have to catch up on that one when I get back.
2014 is going to be another wonderful 'crafty' year.

Friday, 3 January 2014

First of all
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I may be a couple of days late in wishing you that but I've been away for 2 weeks and only came home yesterday. Hopefully you are all looking forward to a brand new year with lots of exciting plans. I have a few in mind such as another wonderful workshop in the NE in 3 weeks, plus an online class to come home to. Another fantastic day out with our Paula in July to the Tatton Horticultural Show, can't wait for that one, plus a couple of projects at home one being a re-design of part of the garden, but then in May it's our silver wedding anniversary. Crumbs, how that has happened beats us both LOL. No plans made because we have to make sure hubby passes his 3year medical to drive the motorhome then we can start to sort things out.
So a busy time ahead methinks. Just have to get rid of this New Year cold and catch up with washing etc so I can get some crafting done.........